| Planning a San Francisco Meeting? | | | | everything. |
| San Francisco is unique amongst cities in the U.S. | | | | If your company is based in San Francisco and you're |
| Facets of the East Coast combine with the history of | | | | hoping to lure talent there, you'll need to convince them |
| the 60's and the technology of today to make for one | | | | that they'll enjoy living in the City By The Bay. That |
| of the most fascinating cities in the nation. Her | | | | may include some scheduled R&R activities, |
| associations with Silicon Valley's major companies | | | | sightseeing, catering from local specialty restaurants, |
| make San Francisco a frequent meeting place and | | | | perhaps even an excursion out of the heart of the city |
| convention locale. There's a certain charm about the | | | | to show your guests some of the natural wonders |
| place that has brought many to agree with Tony | | | | that are only a short distance away. If the season is |
| Bennett, who sang the famous "I Left My Heart In San | | | | cooperative, you might want to rent a vessel and |
| Francisco," so many years ago. | | | | conduct a casual meeting aboard or around that trip. |
| So you've got a meeting to plan for in Shaky Town? | | | | San Francisco is full of memorable places to see and |
| That's good news! With just a bit of help, you'll be on | | | | things to do. Let your imagination run wild a bit, and |
| your way to a great meeting, and you'll have a blast | | | | you'll be sure to come up with itinerary events that will |
| setting it up! | | | | impress. |
| Though it's all loosely referred to as San Francisco, the | | | | Even if it's a straightforward business meeting full of |
| Bay Area sprawls, with the San Francisco Bay itself | | | | stodgy facts and figures, there's no reason the event |
| as a natural barrier. Even though it has an excellent | | | | can't be memorable. Creativity is really your only limit. |
| reputation for public transportation, rather than counting | | | | Even on a budget, you can make that event special |
| on everyone being able to figure out how to use the | | | | by taking a little time to plan something different. First |
| BART system, it'd probably be best to determine what | | | | pick a venue which suits your group's needs. Then |
| part of the city suits the needs of the majority. Allow | | | | elaborate upon the schedule. Approach it as though |
| for that those who live in San Fran already will either | | | | you were romancing someone you're interested in, |
| have the BART system wired or have their own cars. | | | | trying to make a good impression. What sorts of |
| If need be, a van can be rented to chauffeur the | | | | surprises would you prepare for such an occasion if |
| attendees around. Of course, many hotels offer free | | | | that were the case? Bring those great ideas with you |
| shuttle service to and from the airport as well. | | | | when you plan. An inexpensive souvenir, a guest bag, |
| One consideration will be the duration of the | | | | these can make all the difference if they're well |
| conference. If you're only meeting for a day or two | | | | thought out. Remember, it's not the existence of that |
| and people are coming in from outside the Bay area, | | | | guest bag that matters, but that you bothered to invest |
| it'd probably be best to accommodate the visitors by | | | | some time in making it unique and personal. When you |
| scheduling the meetings at one of the many hotels | | | | think of your guests that much, they'll be sure to think |
| with facilities. This is the most common approach, but | | | | of you and appreciate your efforts both during the |
| may not be the most memorable. | | | | conference and in the years to come. |
| Is it strictly business, or do you have some creative | | | | San Francisco is a wonderful town and a great place |
| latitude? Is it important that the attendees have a good | | | | for your next meeting, conference or convention. Take |
| time? Are you hoping to convince potential employees, | | | | the time to make a special event of it, and your guests |
| clients or execs to come aboard? That changes | | | | will be leaving a bit of their heart there, too! |